ISO 50001 – What You Need to Know

What are the Requirements of ISO 50001?

ISO 50001 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system (EnMS) which will enable an organisation to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy use and consumption.

This international standard specifies requirements applicable to energy use and consumption, including measurement, documentation and reporting, design and procurement for equipment, systems, processes and personnel that contribute to energy performance.

ISO 50001 applies to all variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organisation and does not prescribe specific performance criteria with respects to energy.

What is an EnMS?

An Energy Management System (EnMS) is a set of interrelated elements upon which an organisation can development and implement an energy policy, establish objectives, targets and action plans, taking into account legal requirements and information related to significant energy use. An EnMS enables an organisation to achieve its policy commitments, take actions to improve its energy performance and demonstrate the conformity of the system to the requirements of the ISO 50001 international standard.

The implementation of an energy management system (EnMS) is intended to result in improved energy performance and successful implementation depends on commitment from all levels and functions of the organisation, especially from top level management.

Therefore, ISO 50001 is based on the premise that the organisation will periodically review and evaluate its energy management system in order to identify opportunities for improvement and their implementation.

What are the benefits of ISO 50001?

There are a number of ways that ISO 50001 can benefit your company including:

• Showing customers and other stakeholders that your organisation is committed to minimising environmental impact.
• Achieving year on year reductions in energy consumption and costs.
• Promoting best practice and benchmark performance for continual improvement.
• Identifying and implementing energy saving opportunities.
• Proactive management of energy legislation.

On top of this an EnMS meeting the specifications of ISO 50001 can provide:

• Reduced operating costs:
  Significant financial savings can be achieved through increased energy efficiency (OFGEM forecast energy prices to rise by at least 20% by 2020).
• Improved energy efficiency:
  ISO 50001 is the most robust energy management system, enabling you to make continual improvements to become as efficient as possible.
• Reduced carbon footprint:
  Reduce your carbon footprint and people will respond positively to your organisation.
• Legal compliance:
  Understand how statutory and regulatory requirements impact your organisation and stay on the right side of the law.
• Proven business credentials:
  Independent verification against recognised standards speaks volumes and enhances your brand.
• Ability to win more business:
  Procurement specifications require certification as a condition to supply, so certification is essential.
• ESOS energy assessment compliance:
  DECC has confirmed that accredited ISO 50001 certification will contribute to ESOS compliance.

Why do we need to have management system audits?

Whether you already have certification, wish to gain certification, or you simply want to self-declare system compliance to ISO 50001 then you must have a management system audit completed. These effective audit practices ensure your ISO 50001 framework is achieving your objectives and targets in line with your energy policy.

Within every organisation, energy use and consumption is constantly changing. This means your energy management system must evolve with it. Monitoring and identifying changes through good practice audits can help maintain compliance with ISO 50001 and also enables your organisation to identify ways of continually improving your energy performance.

Do I qualify for ISO 50001?

ISO 50001 is a voluntary International Standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to provide organisations an internationally recognised framework to manage and improve their energy performance.

The standard is applicable to all types and sizes of organisations, irrespective of geographical, cultural or social conditions.

Should we be ISO 50001 accredited?

ISO 50001 is applicable to any organisation wishing to ensure it conforms to its stated energy policy and wishing to demonstrate this to others. Conformity, whether it is confirmed by means of self-evaluation and self-declaration, or by certification of the energy management system by an external organisation is at the discretion of the organisation seeking compliance.

If your organisation is looking to become accredited by an external accreditation body then once you have met the requirements of the international standard, your organisation can obtain ISO 50001 certification through an accredited body.

ISO 50001 management packages

For organisations looking to become certified, 2EA^® can ensure your EnMS meets the standards requirements and arrange an accredited body to assess your EnMS.

Our BSI-trained ISO 50001 Lead Auditor can help implement your Energy Management System (EnMS) as a whole system, tailored to your organisation’s needs, with achievable targets set and regular reviews.

For further information please visit our ISO 50001 service page or contact us via email to info@2ea.co.uk or telephone on 01293 521 350.